Variable-Area Horizontal Stabilizer for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft horizontal stabilizers designed for takeoff and landing result in excessive drag and fuel consumption during cruising flight due to their larger surface area, which is not optimized for higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
A variable-area horizontal stabilizer with a mobile edge part and integrated flaps that can adjust to provide aerodynamic continuity, allowing the stabilizer to change surface area between deployed and retracted positions, reducing drag and fuel consumption during cruising.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the horizontal stabilizer is designed with a large surface area for takeoff and landing phases, then aircraft stability during these phases is improved, but drag and fuel consumption increase during cruising flight
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal stabilizer employs a mobile edge part that can slide relative to the fixed intermediate part, enabling the stabilizer surface area to dynamically adjust between a first surface area for takeoff/landing and a second, smaller surface area for cruising flight. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by adapting the stabilizer geometry to match the aircraft's operational phase, providing adequate stability when needed while minimizing drag during cruise.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the stabilizer surface area based on flight conditions. The mobile edge part transitions between positions to alter the effective surface area of the horizontal stabilizer, thereby optimizing the balance between stability requirements and drag reduction across different flight phases.
2Loss of energy
If the mobile edge part is used to reduce surface area during cruising, then drag and fuel consumption are reduced, but aerodynamic discontinuity occurs between the mobile edge part and fixed intermediate part
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile flaps are introduced as intermediary elements between the mobile edge part and the fixed intermediate part. These flaps are elastically loaded to automatically assume appropriate positions that bridge the gap created by the sliding mobile edge part, thereby maintaining aerodynamic continuity of both the suction face and pressure face while allowing the stabilizer surface area to be reduced for drag minimization during cruising flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile flaps are elastically loaded to move spontaneously and automatically adjust their positions in response to the stabilizer's configuration, providing aerodynamic continuity without requiring external actuation. This self-service mechanism ensures that the flaps maintain seamless aerodynamic surfaces whether the stabilizer is in its retracted or deployed position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable design enhances stability during takeoff and landing while minimizing drag and fuel usage during cruising by optimizing the stabilizer's surface area, achieving up to a 20% increase in surface area when needed and reducing unnecessary drag.
Implementation Method 1
They are elastically loaded so that they can move spontaneously from a retracted position when said stabilizer is itself in the retracted position into a deployed position providing said aerodynamic continuity
Implementation Method 2
mobile flaps, for example rotary ones, able to provide the aerodynamic continuity of the suction face and of the pressure face of said stabilizer
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, the horizontal stabilizer comprises a fixed intermediate part secured to the structure of said aircraft and at least one mobile edge part able to slide with respect to said fixed intermediate part, transversely to the length thereof. Mobile flaps are able to provide the aerodynamic continuity of the suction face and of the pressure face of said stabilizer when said mobile edge part is deployed.